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The third treatment applied in May - June, 1957 embraced 396 entrances, and the baits were
down 4-5 days. The recorded result was 18 "takes" (4 complete, 4 x ¾, 8 x ½ and 2 x ¼) and
4 bodies were found. The weather prior to, and during the treatment was good and the baits
when cleared were in good condition.
The fourth control was carried out in September, 1957 when 398 entrances were baited. The
recorded result was 17 "takes" (4 x ¾ and 13 x ½) and 10 bodies were found, making a total of
110 for the series.
It was again considered essential to obtain by overall test-baiting comparable information
to that supplied by the tests applied on completion of the Sodium Fluoroacetate "1080" direct
controls June;1956 and preceding the institution of the "1081" series.
Three tests were applied on the 10th October, 1957, 5th December, 1957 and the 6th March,
1958, thus covering a period of six months from the last "1081" control.
For the first overall test, three weeks after the poison control, 400 entrances were baited
with 4 ounce baits of soaked wheat and left down 5days. On examination 27 "takes" (15 complete,
9 x ¾, 1 x ½ and 2 x ¼) were recorded. This was followed by the second test, 8 weeks
later, when 406 entrances were baited with 4 ounce baits of damp sausage rusk. The recorded
result in this instance was 69 "takes" (58 complete, 3 x ¾ and 8 x ½).
For the final test 13 weeks later, and 6 months after the completion of the "1081" series,
394 entrances were baited with soaked wheat and the baits left down 7 days.
The recorded result was 194 complete "takes". In this instance bad weather was experienced.
There was heavy rain on the second day when baiting was completed and this was
followed by very heavy snowfall. It was impossible to say how many of the "takes" recorded
as such were possibly washed away, but from a wide experience of this work under all weather
condition3, it is reasonable to assume that approximately 15% were in fact washed away.
Allowing the stated percentage of baits washed away the progressive rate of the complete
"takes" of test bait is 15, 58 and 135. The comparable results of the tests applied prior to the
series was 36 , 84 and 165 complete "takes".
The detailed information gathered during this series of controls and tests was the subject
of further discussions with the Scientific Officers, Infestation Control Division, and in light of
the promising results obtained in the first series and the information gained on the build-up
during the intervening period of six months before and after the control measures, it was at the
request of the Ministry that the Fluoracetamide controls were continued for a further period of
two years and timed for completion in March, 1960 being known as the second and third series.
The first control of the second series was applied immediately after the final test of the
first series. A total of 394 entrances were baited, and on examination 4-6 days later 91
"takes" (14 complete, 17 x ¾, 26 x ½ and 34 x ¼ or less) were recorded. The weather was ideal
and 28 bodies were found nearby.
The second control in June, 1958 resulted in 45 "takes" (25 complete, 8 x ¾ 11 x ½ and
1 x ¼) of 401 entrances treated and 14 bodies were found. The latter part of this treatment was
marred by continuous heavy rain, and 27 baits were recorded as washed away. This could apply
to some of the "takes" recorded as complete acceptance.
For the purpose of the third control, started on the 11th September, 1958, 406 entrances were
baited, the recorded result being 31 "takes" (7 complete, 5x ¾, 3 x ½ and 16 x ¼), and 6 bodies
were recovered.
The fourth and final control of the series in December, resulted in 29 "takes" (8 complete,
3 x ¾, 9 x ½ and 9 x ¼), 10 bodies being found.
The annual test was applied as from 1st January, 1959, 22 days after completion of the previous
series and a total of 400 manholes were test baited and the result on examination was 21
complete "takes".
An interim period of six months was again allowed between the series, and a further overall
test baiting was applied as from the 21st May, 1959. A total of 393 entrances were test baited,
the baits being left down 7 days and on examination 106 "takes" (101 complete and 5 x ¾ were
recorded. On the evening of the first day of the test when four sectors comprising 211 manholes
had been baited, a prolonged thunderstorm occurred and 21 baits were recorded as washed away.
The comparable test after a similar period before the first poison control of the second series
produced 194 complete "takes". As previously mentioned, due to heavy snow and rain approximately
15% of this number were in fact washed away.
On the recorded basis the build-up therefore in the six months between the last tests is
from 21 - 101 complete "takes". The comparable tests prior to the second series produced a
build-up from 15- 135 complete "takes". In similar tests after the completion of the Sodium
Fluoroacetate ("1080") controls, 1956, the resultant build-up was 36-165 complete "takes".
The first poison control of the third series was applied at the same time as the examination
and recording of the test, and 400 sewer entrances were poison baited. The baits to which
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